Rainer on Leadership

On this episode, Sam and Josh unpack a landmark development for churches: the Internal Revenue Service’s shift on the 1954 Johnson Amendment. In a joint court filing with two Texas churches and the National Religious Broadcasters, the IRS now affirms that clergy can endorse political candidates from the pulpit without risking their tax-exempt status. The IRS reframes such endorsements as comparable to a “private family discussion” within the congregation during worship—with statements made via usual church communication channels not qualifying as political intervention. In practice, enforcement has been mild but still possible. Advocates: It’s the right legal decision due to the First Amendment. Critics: The decision threatens campaign finance integrity, potentially opening the door to partisan entanglements and “dark money” funneled through churches. Practical implications for pastoral speech and endorsements. Possible influence on voter outreach and church communications. Church governance and policies: It’s now up to the churches to decide the level of endorsements allowed. Implications for 2026 elections: Hardly any pastors are mentioning politicians by name in their pulpits, so the most likely outcome is that nothing changes. Ryan Burge: “How often does the clergy at your church talk about Donald Trump?” Never or rarely: 92%. Sometimes: 7%. Often 1%. More stats from Dr. Burge in an upcoming episode this month. Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Smart Church Solutions Ryan Burge FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   Looking for a better way to manage your church or school facilities? eSPACE is the leading facility management software built specifically for churches. It helps you schedule events, manage work orders, and track assets – all in one place. You can even automate things like HVAC and door access to save time and money. Trusted by over 1,250 organizations – including some of the largest churches in the country. If you’re tired of spreadsheets, sticky notes, or last-minute maintenance emergencies, it’s time to check out eSPACE. Learn more and book a personalized demo at smartchurchsolutions.com/rainer/. The post The Johnson Amendment Reversal: Endorsing Political Candidates from the Pulpit appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam welcomes Dan Block to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Dan is a Senior Translator for the New Living Translation. They discuss why the New Living Translation is the best choice for those seeking a Bible that is accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable. What is the process for translating Scripture? What makes the NLT accurate? How do you handle linguistic nuances or cultural concepts that don’t directly translate into modern English? What makes the NLT understandable? How does the auditory experience of the NLT influence its translation? What is a meaning-for-meaning translation? Resources: New Living Translation Church Connect Tyndale House Publishers Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Pastors, when you open God’s Word to teach or preach, you need a Bible that is faithful to the original text and clear for your people to understand. That is why so many church leaders trust the New Living Translation. The NLT combines accurate scholarship with natural, understandable language, making it ideal for sermon prep, public reading, discipleship, and study. And because it is crafted to be audibly enjoyable, the NLT connects with listeners in the pews and beyond. Learn more at NewLivingTranslation.com.     The Power of Partnership. Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities. Start Preparing Now for 2026! Looking ahead to what’s next in your ministry? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – use sports as that invite. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, pickleball, or running for adults, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader — Upward will support you with the rest. A Variety of Sports for Every Church. From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Did you hear? Pickleball is the newest offering – Claim your TWO free net sets, while supplies last! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church. Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. The post Why the NLT Might Be the Best Bible You’ve Never Considered appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore a fresh way to approach sermon illustrations. Instead of building a massive database with search tools and tags, consider categorizing your illustrations by type—like recent personal stories, historical examples, and visual aids. The goal isn’t to store every idea, but to know what kind of illustration you’re looking for and then go find it. Plus, we talk about how tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm the right type of illustration for your message. Recent personal stories Historical examples Quotations of well-known people Critiques of culture Visual aids Biblical examples Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Church Answers Certifications FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   Certifications to Take Your Ministry and Leadership Skills to the Next Level If you’re passionate about seeing churches make a kingdom impact, or you are passionate about churches transitioning well from pastor to pastor, this program is for you. We provide all the training you need with our self-paced video training modules. Learn more about certifications. The post Sermon Illustrations that Connect to the Bible Text (And Your Church!) appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches have long embraced technology to enhance their ministries, but the most successful churches are shifting beyond simply broadcasting information—they’re leveraging technology to create belonging—authentic connections. In this episode, Thom welcomes Sarah Nashif-Tan from VisitorReach to the podcast for an inside look at their latest innovation: VisitorTap. She is a strategic and passionate leader who blends business and ministry skills to empower local churches for cultural impact. Discover how this easy-to-use tap technology is revolutionizing the way churches engage guests and connect with their congregation. Resources: VisitorTap Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative The post The Easiest (and Most Incredible) Way to Get Information from Your Guests! appeared first on Church Answers.

New religious data in the United States was released recently, and Ryan Burge joins the show with Sam to discuss the details. In 2024, Gen Z showed relatively strong religious attendance compared to other generations. Twenty-four percent of Gen Z reported attending religious services weekly—two percentage points higher than both Millennials and Gen X. While 53% of Gen Z attend less than once a year, that’s actually the lowest percentage of infrequent attenders among all the generations analyzed. What factors might be contributing to Gen Z’s higher weekly religious attendance compared to Millennials and Gen X? How should churches and faith communities respond to the fact that Gen Z has the lowest percentage of people attending less than once a year? Does Gen Z’s relatively strong attendance indicate a deeper spiritual engagement, or are other motivations at play (e.g., community, tradition, social influence)? Resources: Upward Sports Upward Sports: Pickleball Rooted “Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real” by Ryan Burge Ryan Burge Rainer on Leadership Podcast: “Five Predictions We Got Wrong about the Future of the Church” Church Answers Platinum Membership FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: The Power of Partnership Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, empowering local churches to use sports as a dynamic connection tool to engage their communities. A Variety of Sports for Every Church From basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball to running for adults — and now pickleball — Upward Sports offers flexible league options to fit your church’s unique needs. Exciting News: Pickleball Has Arrived! Launched in April, pickleball is perfect for middle and high schoolers — easy to learn, quick to set up, and highly engaging. Whether you prefer a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to guide you. Plus, to help you get started, Upward is offering two free Pickleball Net Sets when you create your league. But act fast — only 200 sets are available! Schedule your call today and build a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community. Learn more at www.Upward.org/Pickleball where you can access an equipment list, court dimensions, and more. Be the Neighborhood Church Want to create a welcoming space for families? Upward Sports provides a first-class, well-organized, and fun league experience. As a self-sustaining ministry, any church — big or small — can get started. Customize your outreach ministry today. Get Ahead for Fall Sports Looking ahead to the fall season? Create an outreach strategy that includes a warm invite for the whole family – Use sports as that invite. Whether it’s soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball or pickleball, Upward Sports is ready to support your church in reaching families right in the heart of your community. All you need is access to a gym or field and one passionate leader and Upward will support you with the rest. Learn more at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.     The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is… A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose A sustainable way to launch groups An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship An opportunity to change the culture of your church Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample. The post The Burge Report: Is Gen Z More Religiously Engaged than Their Parents? appeared first on Church Answers.

Pastors provide spiritual guidance, but there are times when counseling crosses into territory best handled by trained professionals. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore the limits of pastoral care—when ethical, legal, and practical concerns make it necessary to refer someone elsewhere. From mental health crises to marital conflicts beyond a pastor’s expertise, knowing when to step back is crucial for both the pastor and the person seeking help. We’ll discuss red flags, healthy boundaries, and how pastors can support without overstepping. Substance abuse and addiction Children, teens, and other vulnerable people Meeting with one spouse with marital troubles Reporting crimes and other abusive situations People who use regular counseling to feel better without getting better Conflict of interest with church employees Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Church Answers Certifications FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   Certifications to Take Your Ministry and Leadership Skills to the Next Level If you’re passionate about seeing churches make a kingdom impact, or you are passionate about churches transitioning well from pastor to pastor, this program is for you. We provide all the training you need with our self-paced video training modules. Learn more about certifications. The post The Limits of Pastoral Care: When Counseling Isn’t Appropriate appeared first on Church Answers.

Ryan June, a lawyer at Castañeda + Heidelman LLP specializing in church legal issues, shares vital insights for church leadership. He emphasizes the importance of child protection policies as a primary defense against liability. Listeners learn about keeping property deeds updated and adhering to labor laws for staff and volunteers. Ryan stresses the necessity of reviewing bylaws regularly and the complexities of intellectual property within church contexts. This engaging conversation equips church leaders with knowledge to navigate legal challenges effectively.

Explore the unseen shifts in American church communities, from the mobility of younger families to the rising awareness of mental health issues. Discover how advancements in accessible theological education empower pastors and reshape ministry practices. Delve into the impact of decentralized media on church communication and the humorous generational gaps in tech usage. Finally, learn about innovative programs like customizable 5K runs that strengthen church-community ties and engage members in unique ways.

Local church life is facing intriguing 'quiet disruptors' that often go unnoticed. The hosts dive into the shifting expectations of spiritual authority and how personal faith is becoming more intertwined with community life. They highlight how digital natives are redefining connection and the rise of micro-communities. Additionally, they discuss the evolving donation dynamics in the digital age, showcasing how churches adapt in response to change. Plus, pickleball is introduced as a fresh way to foster community engagement.

Most every church desires to grow with young families. But what do they look for in a church? Josh and Sam discuss a few key ways to attract and retain families with children. An indicator of health: 25% of Sunday morning attendance should be 18 and under. An indicator of investment: The children’s and student ministry budgets should be more than the worship ministry budget. Clear policies and procedures that prioritize child safety. Family-friendly service start times (9:30 or 10:00 a.m.) and service length (one hour). Age-segmented discipleship programs for children, students, and adults. Full programming for the entire family. Worship styles, preaching philosophy, and specific programs can be important to some but are less important overall. Resources: The Revitalization at Shadowbrook Church Doctor of Educational Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Churchteams Church Answers Certifications FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights Church Answers Central The Hope Initiative Episode Sponsors: Shadowbrook Church members in Suwanee, Georgia, have rediscovered their first love–serving Christ and loving others.  But during Jerrod Rumley’s first two years as pastor, he was shepherding a divided congregation.  A small number of members seemed better suited for sharing gossip than the gospel. Older and younger members had relegated the Great Commission to the church staff.  Gen-Xers were comfortable in a congregation that placed few demands upon them.  Others were busy meeting community needs–yet seldom shared the gospel. Rumley needed guidance to unify his splintered congregation.  He knew exactly where to turn. Go to SBTS.edu/Unified to read about the steps Shadowbrook’s pastor took to erase barriers and revive the church’s passion for evangelism and discipleship.  Those same steps are available to you, and it begins at SBTS.edu/Unified.   You see the need for systems to follow up on guests, volunteers, pastoral care; but right now that is really sporadic and siloed. Each person doing their own thing and people falling through the cracks. Churchteams will help you build and implement the system you need. Tired of not being able to get the help you need for your software? Churchteams support staff have all served on Church staff. They know the software and they know how churches work. Call, text, set up free support appointments. Integrated. How many different software systems are you using that require sharing people’s data? If 2 or more, you know the challenge and limitations of data in different systems that don’t play well together. Churchteams has all your people data in one place, including your communication data (email, texts, workflows). Ease of use. Do you feel like you should be getting more from your church software, but just can’t get people to use it? Churchteams makes it easy for guests, members, volunteers, and leaders to do everything they need to do including giving without having to create an account. Check it out to learn how. Reports. Are you getting the feedback on your ministry that you need from your database when you need it? Churchteams reports are extremely customizable. Let each staff save the ones they use on their dashboard. Or, schedule it to show up in their inbox. Learn more at Churchteams. The post What Young Families Really Want in a Church appeared first on Church Answers.